"I slip in bed when your asleep, To hold you close and feel your breath on me. Tomorrow there'll be so much to do, So tonight I'll drift in a dream with you."

Dear Miss Mary Margaret,

Three weeks and three days ago at around 7pm at night something wonderful happened. I finally started labor with you. Friends, family, and I had been praying that labor would soon begin, so I could avoid another c-section. Your sister Charlotte had to arrive that way, but I had asked God if He would let me try a different route this time. Those close to me had been praying faithfully, and some amazing women in my life had offered encouragement and advice. You are surrounded by people who have loved you before you even arrived.

Labor was long and very hard, but your father was amazing. He was there through all 17 hours providing support and encouragement. I began to think I couldn't last any longer, but at 2pm on Thursday, June 7 you came into this world. All pain and fatigue left my body when they placed you squirming and new in my arms. You were perfection.

The pain of labor makes me think of the trials God places in our life.  They are difficult, they sometimes seem endless, and many times it feels impossible that you will be able to cope. But they are for our benefit and growth. They are to shape us into Christ-like beings. Looking back on labor I wonder if it is God's reminder, His gift to women: that their is so much joy in the hardships. When I held you I felt an overwhelming sense of God's love and His boundless blessings in my life. You are a joy to my heart dear child!

You came into this world strong and healthy and have continued to grow rapidly!! As much as you eat, I think you will catch up with your sister fairly soon. You are a bit more demanding than your sister was, and you seem to like to eat every thirty minutes from 2am till 6am. Ahhh, but you are adorable. In the middle of the night, when I feel on the verge of tears from weariness, I look at your sweet face and can't help but tenderly kiss your cheeks.

The beginning is fatiguing, but I know all too well how quickly this phase passes. I look at your sister who now seems like such a big girl, and I wonder where the time went. I look forward to hearing you giggle for the first time and watching you crawl to explore. Yet, there are many moments when I want a pause button. I want to stop and savor the beautiful moments with you and Charlotte for a little longer.

Right now you are curled up in my lap, your favorite place to rest. I was tempted to try to put you in your bouncer but decided I wanted to feel your breath. I wanted to smell your sweet baby scent and lean down and kiss your soft, downy hair. Oh Margaret, I am very tired like many moms of newborns, but there is blissfulness in these early days that nothing else can capture. My weariness makes me lose sight of the joy at moments, but God has a way of reminding me as I look at you. I am in awe of His gift. I am so grateful for you and these quickly passing weeks of newborn.

Much Love and a thousand prayers,
Mommy






Charlotte meets her sister!



Headed Home

 

Love from family



We gave Charlotte a big sis gift. It was a little purse filled with play jewelry and a hat. She loved it!

 

My mom stayed for our first week at home and it was wonderful. I still miss her!

 

Charlotte has been incredibly sweet with her sister and has only had a few jealous meltdowns.





Charlotte is exploring more and more these days.




They change so fast.

 

Babies are so much fun to take pictures of!

 

Charlotte plays peek-a-boo with Margaret

 

She makes me laugh

 

I can't believe I have two sweet girls.

 

We have loved having visitors!

 

Love my first born :)

 

 I'm so excited to see their relationship grow and hopefully blossom into friendship.

 

sweet girls

 

Mary Margaret, You are already adding so much joy to this home!

 

We love you sweet child!

"Well you send my life a whirling/ Darling when your twirling/ On the floor"

Life really hasn’t slowed down and I don’t know that it ever will. These last few weeks have drained me quite a bit with all the travel. Yet, we have had some wonderful moments.

We were able to visit with KayKay and Bob, Ben’s grandparents. It was wonderful to spend time with them.

 

Charlotte took to KayKay right away.

We attended SB clinic May 9. I was trying not to be anxious but at our last visit we received the shocking news that Charlotte’s shunt was malfunctioning. She seemed to be doing so well but I worried any way. God is so good. In fact, we received great reports at Clinic. The best news was from her Ortho doctor, Dr. Khoury. As you may remember, Charlotte has had issues with her right hip (the ball and socket weren’t well formed). He warned us of the possibility of surgery. At the last visit her hip had improved enough that surgery did not seem necessary. At this visit, Dr. Khoury told us her hip x-ray was normal and that this does not typical happen. Thank you so much for your prayers. God hears them all and this time He saw fit to restore Charlotte’s hip!!!

 The following week we had good reports from Urology as well. Charlotte’s kidneys are continuing to grow and we do not need in and out catheterization at this time. I know that in and out cath’s will most likely be in our future but I was so grateful to hear we are good with diapers since I will have two in diapers very soon.

We did have a bit of a scare last week. Margaret decided to be still all day Monday and worked me into a nervous panic. I ended up heading to the hospital for monitoring. Of course, once we decided to sign in she started to kick up a storm. I think she thought “well my sister has all these special doctor visits, I need one too.” Monitoring showed she was fine and my visit to the OB informed us that she is head down and dropped. This was encouraging to me because I am trying to avoid another C-section. In fact, I’m going to try to avoid drugs all together.

A drug free birth is not exactly common these days; especially in a state where home birth is actually illegal. I am choosing this rout not because I’m tough (honestly, I’m a wimp) but after much research, prayer, and consideration I feel it is my best option. Of course, if complications arise and I have to have another c-section, I will try to accept it joyfully. My end goal is a healthy little girl!

Newest pic:

I’m 38 weeks pregnant and about to bust.

Like most women at this point I am ready to deliver. NO, I have NO CLUE how to raise two kids but I’m ready for the next challenge. I know that you don’t get sleep with a newborn and that they require mountains of work. Those first few weeks with Charlotte were very tough. Still, I am not a fan of being pregnant, but I’m a huge fan of swaddling, nursing, kissing, rocking, and loving on a newborn. Yes, it is tough but there is the joy of holding your child in your arms. There is the immense pleasure of seeing their sweet little face for the first time. There is the heart stopping love you experience as they wrap tiny fingers around your finger. I am in love with Mary Margaret but I know how it abounds ten fold when they finally arrive. I am ready and excited to meet this child who will carry another piece of my heart.